Electronic Structure and Bonding

Contents

Bond Properties

Bond length and bond strength of carbon are determined by the hybridization state of carbon. Bond length order is sp3>sp2>spsp^3>sp^2>spsp3>sp2>sp. Bond strength order is sp>sp2>sp3sp>sp^2>sp^3sp>sp2>sp3. VSEPR theory can help predict the molecular geometry of organic compounds. Most organic compounds have tetrahedral, trigonal planar, or linear geometry.

The hybridization state of a carbon bond determines that bond's strength. Bond length is greatest in sp3 hybridization and shortest in sp hybridization. Conversely, bond strength is greatest in sp hybridization and weakest in sp3 hybridization. Bond strength is the measure of the strength of the bond between two atoms.

Molecular geometry is the shape formed by the central atom, considering only bonding electron pairs. Molecular geometry can be determined by valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, a covalent bond theory that uses the repulsive forces between single electrons and pairs of electrons about the central atom to predict their relative positions around the atomic nuclei. VSEPR theory suggests that valence electron pairs surrounding an atom tend to repel each other, forcing molecules to arrange themselves in a way that minimizes repulsion. According to VSEPR theory, most organic compounds have tetrahedral, trigonal planar, or linear geometry.